UN Security Council demands investigation of mass graves in Gaza

The UN Security Council on Friday called for an investigation into mass graves discovered near health facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Graves containing several hundred bodies have been found near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in recent weeks.

Last month, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which cited Palestinian civil defense, said some bodies had their hands tied.

Hospitals and other medical establishments are entitled to special protections under international humanitarian law.

The Israeli side said accusations that Israeli forces buried the bodies of Palestinians were unfounded. Israeli soldiers simply examined graves looking for Israeli hostages, authorities said.

“The UN Security Council calls for immediate, independent, thorough, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigations into the mass graves discovered at the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities in Gaza,” said a statement from the British UN mission.

“There needs to be accountability for violations of international law.”